Philly's local roasters and indie cafes direct the spotlight toward our city's coffee scene, but tea drinkers don't have to feel left in the cold. Below, find five of Philly's favorite tea houses, serving bubble tea, chai lattes and everything in between.
Served by the cup, slow-drip siphon-brewed coffee is the draw at Ray's Cafe, a teahouse-meets-cafe in Chinatown. The tea selection ranges from bubble tea and classic green tea to tea-infused ice cream, while savory fare runs the gamut from stir-fried noodles to the crowd-favorite dumpling sampler.
141 N Ninth St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 922-5122More »
Positioned underneath red paper lanterns, a handful of two-top tables provides a spot to sip a bubble tea at this snug, cash-only spot in Chinatown. In-the-know diners recommend ordering a custard bun and a fruit smoothie, made with real fruit chunks, not a powder mix.
Affordable prices make snacking here even sweeter.
210 N Ninth St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 238-1688
If it's your first visit to this bustling corner cafe, follow the lead of Tea Dó's regulars and order the "honey jazz." This specialty drink combines the floral flavor of jasmine tea with honey, lemon juice, and aloe jelly.
Challenge some friends to a game of Jenga, and feel free to linger: Tea Dó is open as late as 1 a.m. on weekends.
132 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 925-8889More »
Arranged in neat little rows behind a glass display case, a rainbow of macarons tempts visitors at Kung Fu Tea, a trendy Chinatown tea house illuminated by ambient light and set to the beat of uptempo music.
The airy French cookies are the ideal accompaniment to the tea house's array of bubble teas, which, according to loyal fans, are some of the best in Philly. Earning Kung Fu special praise? The fact that you can tailor your drink's sweetness level to your particular palate.
1006 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (267) 758-2871More »
If a tea-craving Harry Potter were to pay a visit to Philly, this is where he'd go. Part apothecary, part curiosity shop and tea house, this intimate Northern Liberties cafe is delightfully whimsical and just a tad strange.
Regulars appreciate its eclectic, somewhat eccentric decor, but the majority of praise is directed toward (what else?) the tea. Request a mug of Masala chai (the cafe's most popular drink), and sip it on the brick-paved back patio.
713 N Fourth St, Philadelphia, PA 19123; (267) 639-2442More »
1. Ray's Cafe
Served by the cup, slow-drip siphon-brewed coffee is the draw at Ray's Cafe, a teahouse-meets-cafe in Chinatown. The tea selection ranges from bubble tea and classic green tea to tea-infused ice cream, while savory fare runs the gamut from stir-fried noodles to the crowd-favorite dumpling sampler.
141 N Ninth St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 922-5122More »
2. Green Land Tea House
Positioned underneath red paper lanterns, a handful of two-top tables provides a spot to sip a bubble tea at this snug, cash-only spot in Chinatown. In-the-know diners recommend ordering a custard bun and a fruit smoothie, made with real fruit chunks, not a powder mix.
Affordable prices make snacking here even sweeter.
210 N Ninth St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 238-1688
3. Tea Dó
If it's your first visit to this bustling corner cafe, follow the lead of Tea Dó's regulars and order the "honey jazz." This specialty drink combines the floral flavor of jasmine tea with honey, lemon juice, and aloe jelly.
Challenge some friends to a game of Jenga, and feel free to linger: Tea Dó is open as late as 1 a.m. on weekends.
132 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 925-8889More »
4. Kung Fu Tea
Arranged in neat little rows behind a glass display case, a rainbow of macarons tempts visitors at Kung Fu Tea, a trendy Chinatown tea house illuminated by ambient light and set to the beat of uptempo music.
The airy French cookies are the ideal accompaniment to the tea house's array of bubble teas, which, according to loyal fans, are some of the best in Philly. Earning Kung Fu special praise? The fact that you can tailor your drink's sweetness level to your particular palate.
1006 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; (267) 758-2871More »
5. The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop
If a tea-craving Harry Potter were to pay a visit to Philly, this is where he'd go. Part apothecary, part curiosity shop and tea house, this intimate Northern Liberties cafe is delightfully whimsical and just a tad strange.
Regulars appreciate its eclectic, somewhat eccentric decor, but the majority of praise is directed toward (what else?) the tea. Request a mug of Masala chai (the cafe's most popular drink), and sip it on the brick-paved back patio.
713 N Fourth St, Philadelphia, PA 19123; (267) 639-2442More »
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